Asian small-clawed otters,
also called Oriental small-clawed otters, are the smallest
otter species in the world. As their name indicates, they
have short claws which do not extend beyond the fleshy
pads of their finger and toe tips. They are particularly
dexterous among otters and can grasp their prey securely
with their fingers.

Asian small-clawed otters live in the
rivers, streams, mangrove swamps, wetlands, and coastal
areas of Southeast Asia, with the largest numbers found
in Malaysia and Thailand. Their immense range extends from
southern India to the Philippines, with populations in
Bangladesh, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam
and Indonesia. Actual habitat within this range, however,
is limited and decreasing.

Asian small-clawed otters grow
to a length of .9 meters long (about 3 feet) including
the tail. Fully grown specimens weigh up to 5 kg (11 lbs),
and they are not sexually dimorphic. Their tail is thick
at the base, but narrow for most of its length, giving
the tail a more rat-like appearance than that of other
river otters.

The coat of the Asian small-clawed otters
is light grayish brown to chocolate, with lighter coloring
on the underside extending to the throat, cheeks, jaw and
upper lip. Specimens that have light coloring over the
whole body have been seen. Vibrissae (whiskers) are white
and extend from the muzzle and eyebrow area.

Like other
otters, the Asian small-clawed otter has a very dense coat
of soft fur, plus another layer of guard hair fur. The
fur traps air close to the skin of the otter, keeping it
warm in the water. It spends time each day grooming its
fur with its short claws.

Stock photo
of a family group of Asian small-clawed otters or oriental small-clawed otters, Aonyx
cinereus

Image
#: 102827

Kingdom:
Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Carnivora

Suborder: Caniformia/Canoidea

Family: Mustelidae/Mustelids

Genus: Aonyx

Specific: cinereus

Asian small-clawed otters propel
themselves in the water with their feet, which feature
webbing that extends to the 2nd phalange on their front
paws, but nearly to the end of the toes on their hind paws.
Because they have such dexterous fingers, they are comfortable
on land and are sometimes found at some distance from water.
They are not as strictly aquatic as other river otters.

Asian small-clawed otters are generally diurnal and are
said to have good eyesight. However, where their habitat
is in close contact with man, they tend to be more crepuscular
and nocturnal. Their diet is made up of fish, frogs, snails,
mollusks, snakes, insects and crabs, which they capture
with their front paws.

Large snakes may prey on Asian small-clawed
otters, but success is uncertain due to the otters' aggressive
group defense. Tigers and other predatory felines are said
to avoid targeting this species for the same reason.

Asian
small-clawed otters likely compete for resources with the
three other species of otter that have a partially overlapping
range, the hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), the smooth-coated
otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), and the Eurasian otter
(Lutra lutra). However, these various species tend to favor
different prey, so competition with other otter species
is not likely to pose a serious threat to survival.

Asian
small-clawed otters are generally social and may be found
in groups of up to 20. Like most river otters, they mark
their territories with scent from their anal glands and
with spraint. Their spraint is easy to locate, as they
leave it on open grassy or sandy areas where they have
stopped to sun and groom themselves.

Asian small-clawed
otters have litters of 1-5 pups. They are born in September,
can swim by November, and are weaned within 3 to 4 months
of birth. They are independent from their family group
at two years. If the first litter of pups in a season does
not survive, they can breed again.

Asian small-clawed otters
are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. Their greatest
threats are hunting and habitat loss. They are often killed
when they enter aquaculture areas, which they are quick
to do, as fish and shrimp farms are an easy source of food.
Pollution is another threat to their survival, and they
are considered an indicator species for the health of their
environment.

Various
Latin names have been ascribed to the Asian small-clawed
otter, but Aonyx cinereus is the name recognized by the
IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Other names sometimes attributed
to this species are Aonyx cinerea, Amblonyx cinereus, and
Micraonyx cinerea.

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